The Juan Quezada Collection

It was Juan Quezada (1940-2022), who recovered the ancient art form of pottery that lifted the entire town of Mata Ortiz out of poverty and certain obscurity to become a mecca of creativity, innovation and exquisite pottery.

On display now at chimayotrading.com is the JUAN QUEZADA COLLECTION. These pieces were commisioned by a private collector over several years through the Mata Ortiz shows we’ve hosted here at the Chimayo Trading gallery. Sometimes a piece would take up to an entire year to produce for the collector.

This collection includes pieces by other Mata Ortiz artists such as Lydia, Noe and Pabla Quezada, Jorge Quintana, Octavio “Tavo” Silveira and many others. Today we feature the pieces from this collection crafted by Juan Quezada himself.

“These pots are some of the largest and most unique
Juan Quezada pots I’ve seen anywhere.”
~ Gabriel Abrums

9.5” x 8”

When Quezada’s work was discovered by anthropologist Spencer MacCallum in 1976, he started selling his best pieces. It was only a matter of time before dealers, museums and galleries began to acquire the unusual pots with a distinctive high sheen and curious designs that appeared at once ancient and like something from the future.

14″ x 10″

The discovery and its development became a great financial boon to the small dusty town as more and more families were taught by Juan and is referred to in ballads and folklore as “The Miracle”. One of the best artists, Jorge Quintana said in an interview for PBS…

“Because of Juan, the people of Mata Ortiz have tasted the fruits of artistic success and have been given a flourishing creative direction for the future of the entire town.”

Juan Quezada in his studio working on this next pot featured below.

“We owe it all to Juan”, Quintana says. “He is the teacher.” Over 300 families earn a living now from their ceramic artwork. Juan is said to have been like a character out of a Mexican fable, in his cowboy hat and boots, possibly carrying his pet javelina named “Javier”. He received the greatest award that Mexico can give to a living artist: the Premio Nationale de Los Artes. One journalist described his life as a fairytale adding, “It doesn’t hurt that the fairy tale is true.”

13″ x 10″

15″ x 10.5″

12.5″ x 10″

16″ x 12.5″

11″ x 9.5″

12″ x 9.5″

10.5″ x 9.5″

1991, 10.5″ x 9″

2000, 11.5″ x 9.5″

11″ x 9″

“Viboras”, 10″ x 7″

15″ x 11″

At Chimayo Trading “The Miracle” lives on, and the story of his talent, tenacity and generosity is on full display. In honor of the great contributions of his life, we are featuring a collection of works by the very best artists of Mata Ortiz and also the most exquisite pots by the man himself.

Juan Quezada (1940-2022)

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

We buy individual pieces or whole collections.

Contact us for the evaluation and resale of your collectible art.
We’re interested in locating relevant collections and original New Mexico artwork for purchase. We buy historic and contemporary relevant paintings, pottery, jewelry, textiles, weavings and more.

Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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